Theodora L. Caros

Theodora Caros ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home on Mar. 14, 2026.Theodora L. CarosA faithful servant of Christ, beloved wife, mother and Yiayia. Theodora Caros was an exceptional soul who personified the best of the greatest generation devoted to her family and faith. She passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2026 at age 87 surrounded by her loved ones.Theodora was born on October 20, 1938 in the village of Loukomi in Northern Greece.She was the daughter of the late Alexandros Nanopoulos and the late Evangelia (Koutouras) Nanopoulos. She was the youngest of six siblings: the late Theodota, Sophia, Thomas, Sultana. and Constantine. In her childhood, while growing up on the family farm, she lived through the German occupation of WWII and the Greek Civil War. She would tell many stories of hardships. but also colorful stories about her family, sewing, and feeding the chobani who were tending sheep by baking many loaves of bread and pitas. She learned the life skills of appreciation. perseverance, hard work, humility and dedication to family that embodied her whole life.In 1960, there was word in her village that a very eligible bachelor was coming from the U.S. to find a bride. Her relatives encouraged her to meet him. She met him, and they fell in love quickly. She married Leandros ("Leo") Caros in Loukomi and they set off to their new life in America and settled in Woburn, MA. Theodora immediately found the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church and found work in the Stoneham shoe factories. She stopped working to raise their 2 children in a strong and cultivated religious environment. Later she returned to work nights at Sylvania and Alpha Industries for thirty eight years as an electronics assembler where she made many lifelong friends. She always had a radiant smile and boundless energy, baking the best desserts and Greek dishes, decorating her beautiful Easter eggs, and baking prosphora for liturgy. When she wasn't in her kitchen, she was knitting heirlooms for her grandchildren or expectant mothers. She constantly read her religious books and her Evangelio. All who knew her remember her gentle humor, patience, and the care she brought to everything she touched - from her family meals and holiday traditions to the flowers she tended in her garden. Theodora's flower garden was so spectacular that people often took walks and stopped by the sidewalk just to gaze at her beautiful flowers.Theodora loved spending time with her grandchildren. She helped raise Leo and Elias babysitting a few days per week, never missing a birthday party, school event, or music concert.She loved her monthly trips to California to see Evy and Matthew, helping them off to school and having fun on local excursions or parties as well as being together with all of her grandchildren in her home and on Cape Cod. She loved to indulge them with her treats, while watching them grow into teenagers and adults.Theodora very much appreciated her life in America. She studied and obtained her U.S.citizenship; however, she never forgot her family ties in Greece, visiting and communicating with them for many years and eventually bringing a brother and two sisters to America.Theodora also was a dedicated steward of the Annunciation Church of Woburn. and she was a core member of the Philoptochos, the senior VIP group. and the Pan-Macedonian Association. In 2019 she received the Metropolis of Boston Ministry Award, recognizing her tireless dedication to the Annunciation community: she was "always eager to serve, always without credit or recognition."She lived a long and fulfilling life taking care of others: her talents were many, but her genuine kindness was her most endearing quality, which was loved by all.Theodora is survived by her daughter Athena and husband Nicholas Kleissas of Burbank, CA and son Alexander and wife Lela Caros of Milton, MA, in adation to four grandchildren: Leo and Elias Caros and Evangelia and Matthew Kleissas. She is also survived by beloved nieces. nephews. godchildren here and in Greece, and very generous friends.May her memory be eternal.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.